How to Choose the Right Electric Wheelbarrow

An electric wheelbarrow can make your work much easier, hence they are becoming more and more interesting for the gardeners and others. There are models on the market now that are simple, powerful, with a good user experience. That is why they are a very effective tool for your work. The electric motor assistance enables easy work when transporting firewood, compost, sand, in the orchard or vineyard, or when transporting fodder. Work with an electric wheelbarrow is much easier.

 

 

It is also a simple device that anyone can use. If you use an ordinary wheelbarrow, you will surely master an electric one. In fact, the work with the electric wheelbarrow will be effortless. A motorized wheelbarrow also comes in handy at the country house, especially if you don’t have other equipment for transporting there.

The models and designs of electrically powered motorized wheelbarrows are very different. The selection thus largely depends on the purpose of use and the terrain where you will mostly use the motorized wheelbarrow.

Electric wheelbarrows are not yet as established as electric bikes, although they in principle solve the same kind of a problem. Thus, many people buy them for the first time. In this guide, we will draw your attention to the key factors and questions you need to answer before choosing the electric wheelbarrow for you. We recommend that you pay attention to the 10 factors that are presented below.

1. Do You Need the Electric Wheelbarrow?

If you use a wheelbarrow only occasionally for a light work, have a flat terrain and do not transport heavier loads, a manual non-motorized wheelbarrow may be quite sufficient for you.

A wheelbarrow is one of the most useful tools, so it is practically in every home.  And often not just one. You can use it everywhere, even if there are no paths, if there are narrow passages or there is not much space available.

However, if you transport things on slopes and have heavier loads, the electric wheelbarrow will be of great benefit.

2. Where and What Will You Use the Electric Wheelbarrow for – What Design is Appropriate?

There are several versions of motorized and electric wheelbarrows available on the market. Models are in the form that preserves the classic shape and maneuverabilityof an ordinary one-wheeled wheelbarrow. But there are also models in the form of carts with two, three, four wheels or tracked.

Which form will be the most suitable for you depends mainly on what you will use it for – how heavy things you will transport and on what terrains. Also, what  the driving distances are, are there a lot of uneven and sloping surfaces.

Models with several wheels or tracked carts relieve the weight on the hands. They can also be used to transport much heavier loads (250 kg and more). However, the possibility of maneuvering and agility is reduced. On uneven surfaces, it is also necessary to be more careful that they do not tip over.

The weight of such motorized wheelbarrows/carts is also higher. If the appearance of the surface and its integrity is important, care must be taken to ensure that the heavy weight and the rugged tire tread do not damage the terrain. 

Reduced agility and handling can be a significant disadvantage if more turning is required, especially on smaller surfaces.

 

Maneuverability is important if you will be using it a lot on terrain with a slope or uneven surfaces. And also if you want to make the work that you normally do with a manual wheelbarrow easier with the help of a motor assistance.  In such a case, the design of a classic single-axle wheelbarrow with an added electric motor is probably the optimal solution. It maintains the good handling and wide usability. The work is easier and more efficient.

3. How Intensively Will You Use the Electric Wheelbarrow – What Battery Capacity is Right for You?

To be autonomous and work comfortably, the battery must be sufficient for your daily needs without intermediate charging. If you use it intensively during the day, transport heavier loads and overcome bigger and longer climbs, you need more battery capacity. How long the battery will support your work depends on its range and on the usage of the motorized wheelbarrow: load weight, slope and the height difference you overcome.

When considering the battery range, it is necessary to take into account its capacity (e.g. 8 Ah) and voltage (e. g. 48 V), which, if multiplied together, gives watt hours (e.g. 384 Wh). These tell how much electricity can actually be stored in the battery.

The battery type is also important, as its energy density and consequently weight is highly dependent on it (lead, LiFePO4, lithium-ion). This significantly affects the overall weight and autonomy of the electric wheelbarrow. Lithium-ion batteries have the best ratio between autonomy (how long they last) and weight. So usually wheelbarrows with lithium-ion batteries are lighter. Lithium-ion batteries also charge faster compared to older battery generations.

 

f you use the electric wheelbarrow only occasionally for a small work range, a lower battery range is sufficient. This will also have a beneficial effect on the lower overall weight.

The battery with a capacity of 8 A h (48 V) is by our experience quite sufficient for one working day of intensive use of the electric wheelbarrow, with no intermediate charging needs.

4. What Slopes Do You Need to Overcome – What Power of The Electric Motor is Right for You?

The power of the engine must be sufficient to overcome large slopes and to be able to transport heavy loads. A motor with a nominal power of 500 W will be sufficient for comfortable driving on a slope.

However, it is useful if the power of the motor can be increased for a short time. The short-term power of the engine is important if you get your wheel stuck in a pothole, especially when your electric wheelbarrow is fully loaded.

 

5.  Downhill Drive – Is Braking Available with the Motorized Wheelbarrow?

The electric wheelbarrow shows its greatest benefit precisely on slopes. In the case of a slope, it is often just as difficult to carry a heavy load down as it is up the slope, or perhaps even more difficult. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the electric wheelbarrow can brake when driving downhill. Braking is an indispensable part for a comfortable and safe downhill ride.

For the ease of use, it is convenient if this braking is automatic. It is also useful if at the same time the electricity is produced and stored back to the batteries.

 

6. How Comfortable is the Reverse Drive?

Maneuvering a full wheelbarrow is not easy. The advantage of a wheelbarrow is that it can be used for small, restricted areas.

Therefore, for comfortable use, it is highly recommended that the electric wheelbarrow has the possibility of a motor assisted reverse drive, so that handling is as flexible as with a manual wheelbarrow.

That also means the run of the wheel is smooth without hindrance even when the electric motor is switched off.

 

7. How do You Operate the Electric Wheelbarrow?

For a good user experience, it is important, how complex or how easy is to operate the electric wheelbarrow.

When you’re holding and driving at the same time, it’s difficult to move a lot of levers, so steering should be as easy as possible. This is especially important for the single-axle electric wheelbarrow,  as it is difficult to simultaneously hold the handles and move the speed lever or press the brake.

It is also important that the ride is smooth and that there is no jerking during acceleration. Also, that the wheel runs without hinderance, even when the engine is turned off. As we have said, pay attention to whether the wheelbarrow has the option of the assisted reverse drive, what is the available speed for forward and reverse drive, and how the speed can be adjusted.

 

A really comfortable ride is provided by the automatic, smart steering of the electric wheelbarrow. Features such as automatic speed adjustment to the walking pace, automatic speed reduction when turning, wheel blocking when emptying the wheelbarrow forward , the regulation of wheel slip are some of the features that ensure an excellent user experience.

Automatic steering is available with the smart electric wheelbarrow Karjola.

8. Design, Materials, and the Environmental Footprint of the Electric Wheelbarrow

 

Durability & Robustness

In order for the electric wheelbarrow to help you for a long time, it is important to check how the wheelbarrow is assembled. Whether the components are welded or screwed, how the vital parts of the drive are protected (batteries, control unit, cables), as this all influences durability.

Also check the level of protection (IP), whether the materials are durable and their impact on the environment (steel or synthetic materials).  Also examine the simplicity of the design – that the components can be easily replaced if necessary.

Tire

You also need to check the tire. It is desirable to have as much grip as possible. However, too much profile will damage the grass surface. According to our experience, the tractor tire profile is not the best, the winter tire profile has proven to be the optimal. For worry-free use, it is also important that the wheelbarrow has anti-puncture rubber. As with cars, a chain can also be used for very slippery and steep terrain.

Balance

Also check the balance. It is very welcome when you hold the electric wheelbarrow that the feeling of the balance is good, as that of the manual one. Therefore, check how it behaves and what is the balance of an empty and fully loaded electric wheelbarrow.

Recycling and Carbon Footprint

Besides the long-term durability of the electric wheelbarrow – to keep it in use as a long as possible, for the sustainability it is important how easily the components can be recycled. And also, what is the carbon footprint. The footprint arises from the manufacturing of the electric wheelbarrow, from the use, and later, what happens to the batteries and other components at the end of their use.

 

9.  Accessories Available and Transportability

 

Some electric wheelbarrows offer additional options, such as power connector (to use theelectric power wherever you need it) or USB connection. This allows for the convenience to charge your smartphone, even when you are outside in the garden or in the woods.

Also check if additional attachments are available. A very useful one is the front holder, with which you can increase your efficiency by easily transporting more in one ride.

For some models you can use attachments such as snowplough.

An additional solution that is offered with the electric wheelbarrow Karjola is easy transport of the wheelbarrow on the towbar of the car. This is made possible by a special holder.

In order to take the electric wheelbarrow with you to the forest or the field, you don’t need to put it in the trunk or on the trailer. You simply attach it to the tow bar of the car with the holder.

 

10. What Price to Pay for an Electric Wheelbarrow?

How your investment in purchasing the electric wheelbarrow will pay off depends very much on how long and how often you intend to use the electric wheelbarrow.

Due to similar components, the prices of quality electric wheelbarrows are in the price range of quality electric bikes. Quality construction is important for long-term use and a good user experience with an electric wheelbarrow.

You can check for Karjola, the smart electric wheelbarrow in our online store https://karjola.com.